What to do on New Zealand's North Island

Take in the view from a volcano

Join a kayak adventure to the volcanic island of Rangitoto — it’s just one of more than 50 dormant volcanoes in the Auckland area — for a prime 360-degree view. READ MORE: Time warp: Experience another era in Napier, New Zealand

Kayak to Rangitoto

It's a farily easy paddle to the volcanic island of Rangitoto. Once you're there, hike through the lava tubes that formed as the island began to emerge from the sea 600 years ago. READ MORE: Weekend getaway to Brooklyn

Stay at Auckland's Hotel DeBrett

Check in to Hotel DeBrett, a 25-room boutique property with a posh retro-vibe. The hotel is located in a narrow-laned shopping district in downtown Auckland and is a short walk from the trendy Britomart dining scene. READ MORE: Weekend getaway in Portland

Visit Middle-earth

From Auckland, it's a two-hour drive to Hobbiton where you'll find the loveliest, most authentic movie set in New Zealand and beyond! (It's hard to believe the tree above Bag End (pictured) is artificial — it has thousands of hand-applied fabric leaves.) READ MORE: Quiz: What's your adventure style?

Experience movie nostalgia in Hobbiton

The Hobbiton setting is so picturesque you'll be inspired to rewatch The Lord of the Rings trilogy during your Air New Zealand flight home. (Make sure to tune in to the hilarious LOTR- themed safety message.) READ MORE: Weekend getaway to Miami

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Check out a Hobbit garden

Gardeners work hard to keep Hobbiton a "living set" where it feels like Frodo and his friends could emerge from the corn fields at any moment. There are pumpkins, tomatoes and more — all ripe and ready to be picked (but not by visitors!). READ MORE: Tales from an adventuress

Stay at a modern-day Hobbit farm

There are no accomodations at Hobbiton, but you can book an authentic farm stay with a local family in the Matamata district — think of it as a way to get to know some real-life modern-day Hobbits. (You can even help feed the cattle early in the morning, if you like.) READ MORE: Travel video diary of the Kamalame Cay private island in the Bahamas

See the Zealong Tea Estate in Hamilton

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Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Christina Reynolds
Source: Zealong Tea

Stop in for lunch at the Zealong Tea Estate and take part in an ancient tea ceremony that showcases the rich flavours of the plantation’s hand-picked organic oolong, black and green tea leaves, which are harvested using traditional Taiwanese methods. READ MORE: The 12 music festivals in Canada to know about this summer

Indulge in high tea

The Zealong Tea Esate serves delicious tea-inflused savoury and sweet treats as part of the high tea — which also includes local kiwi berries (the fuzz-free, grape-sized version of its larger cousin) if they are in season. Snag a table on the outdoor terrace for a gorgeous view of the tea fields. READ MORE: Explore your adventure style

Take a walk through the gardens and tea fields

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Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Christina Reynolds
Source: Zealong Tea

Take a walk through the Zealong Tea Estate gardens and enjoy the beautiful sculptures, then head out to the fields and learn how to hand-pick tea leaves. READ MORE: A steamy jungle trek to Colombia's Lost City

Take in a bird’s-eye views in Hawke’s Bay

If you go to Napier for Art Deco Weekend, save a day to go on a safari to see an important gannet colony up-close — and learn the curious story of how the stunning rocky outcropping known as Cape Kidnappers got its name in 1769. READ MORE: The Godfather of French Polynesia

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Enjoy the scenery at Cape Kidnappers

Don't get too close to the edge of the cliffs at Cape Kidnappers, but do take lots of photos of the jaw-dropping views. And even if you don't golf, stop to take a look at the verdant cliff-top golf course at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers — which is frequently ranked as one of the most picturesque in the world. READ MORE: Time warp: Experience another era in New Zealand